Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — Burbank City Hall
The controversy surrounding the new Burbank Police Commissioners is about to come up again at tomorrow’s city council meeting. Today the issue is listed as item 13 on the agenda and is described as “Reconsideration of the Police Commission Applicants,” according to the agenda forecast posted on the city of Burbank website.
At the center of this stormy drama is newly appointed Police Commissioner and civil rights activist, John Brady. Two weeks ago on June 2, the council voted 4-to-1 to reconsider the appointments of one or more commissioners after a “secret document” made them aware of Brady’s probation in connection with a DUI conviction. Since then, the council’s decision has been a popular topic of debate all over town and beyond; including on this and other blogs.
You would think an issue that a lot of people are eager to hear about would be closer to the top of the agenda, rather than hanging down at the bottom. More than likely it will be brought up by citizens during public comments, which occurs early in the meeting.
Tomorrow’s meeting is set to get underway at 6 p.m. in the council chamber at city hall. City council meetings are televised on Charter Communications channel 6 in Burbank and some other local channels as well.
Thanks for the link to their tv channel.
In all honesty I don’t believe they are worried about a DUI I think they are worried about keeping everything covered up to protect themselves.
I remember the one council member saying something about what people would think about a DUI but she never said what do people think is worse a DUI or all this other stuff that’s in the news.
The DUI is like making a big deal out of a bird poop on a car that is totally smashed. Who cares about a bird poop if the thing is completely smashed and doesn’t work anymore.
Could they make their website any harder to use if they tried ? LMAO the thing comes up then turns blue then to find new info you have to go through steps, these people are pathetic.
Found the real item and here it is
10.
RECONSIDERATION OF POLICE COMMISSION APPLICANTS: This matter was first discussed at the May 21, 2009 Council meeting at which Council Member Golonski requested the reconsideration of applicants for the position of Police Commissioner. At the June 2, 2009 Council meeting, the Council directed staff to create a Police Commissioner questionnaire authorizing a personal criminal records check. Staff prepared the questionnaire and each Police Commissioner completed the form. Staff has presented the responses from each Police Commissioner for Council review. This is the second step in the two-step agenda process.
Recommendation:
Staff recommends that the Council discuss the matter and provide further direction.
Item No. 10 Staff Report
Item No. 10 Attachments
If you want to avoid all the steps the council stuck in the way to get you lost so you will go away here is the direct link to this information
http://burbank.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=27
That thing doesn’t say anything about removing anybody. So here is my question do we all get to see each one’s criminal record background check ? I think we should because we paid for it. I also think they should all have a lie detector test.
The City Council and police commission are completely in damage control mode. The decision has been made to back the chief and members of the department because it suits them.
Remember the relationships between the city entities. It has been said that Mike Flad has set aside 4 million just to fight the latest allegations. The cost will surely go higher.
This is without even knowing whats coming. Chief Stehr is not an honest person who is going to give Flad the details of his past indescretions. Like being caught in the back seat of a patrol car having sex with a woman other than his wife. The last city manager had several reservations about his appointment in the first place.
Right now the city is in the process of quietly settling a lawsuit for discrimnation involving an openly gay female officer. Her picture is featured on the BPD website. Its intersting that two of the three officers pictured on the BPD website are suing the city.
Since last week another lawsuit has been filed for misconduct and retaliation. That makes 7 officers. From insider sources, at least 15 have sought legal advice about perspective complaints. That doesn’t include the 9 or so named with the chief as dirty cops.
This fiscal bus is out of control with Mike Flad driving and the rest of the goverment officials sitting in the back.
It does seem like the city council is all about protecting what has gone on and not about getting to the bottom of what has been going on.
Are some of the councilmembers part of what has been happening or are they just so dumb they don’t know what to do ?
Dave Golonsky has been there so long he is “establishment” all the way. Mike Flad is probably going to lose his job after all is said an done. Dr Gordon is clearly the lone wolf out for justice. The rest are just hoping this all goes away so they can go back to the fun stuff.
The police commission does nothing. Juli Scott says there is a system of oversight. Like when she is on vacation with the Chief?
Nothing happens too often in Burbank. When it does it usually is big. Don’t forget Stacey Murphy (ex mayor) was almost indicted for federal RICO violations, but she plead to the cocaine charges.
New rumblings include now the Deputy Chief, who was recently demoted by Chief Stehr becauae he reported corruption, is filing his own lawsuit. Wow! There won’t be anybody left.
It’s all lazy officers wanting an early retirement…just ask Mike Flad.
Hi Carma,
Seriously I do not believe that we have lazy officers who are looking for a golden egg and early retirement. My feeling is that working conditions are so bad they want to clean it up. I think the city council will try to offer them money but with most of them I don’t believe it’s about money I really do believe it’s about justice.
On Councilman Gordon I agree he is the only one of the five who cares at all about justice, the rest of them only care about themselves.
4 million ? From what I am reading everyplace they better set aside 100 million and hope it’s enough.
Agreed this is way to many police officers for it to be lazy officers. For me the fact that police officers are speaking up about corruption tells me there is serious corruption.
If you had been on a jury and the same officers telling us now about corruption had told you someone commited a crime i bet you would have believed them so why doubt them now.
Just wondering why some officers don’t arrest other officers and officials when they commit crimes ???
First,
Apologies to all who had problems getting on my blog today. “A Writer’s Groove” was down for a while and there still are some glitches — due to problems with my web host’s servers.
Ryan C.,
I hear where you’re coming from.
Gonzalez,
Nice work! Thanks for the link.
And good question about whether the council will make those criminal records checks on the police commissioners public.
Carma,
Well said and well done.
h_f,
You know I agree with Carma. I believe most of the council members are hoping all of this goes away and they can get back to business as usual. They just don’t realize how big this is and much damage it is doing to the city and the trust citizens put in city government.
Yup I checked the site earlier today amd it was gone, in Burbank that could mean the city council bought it and threw it away. Glad your back and glad the site is back.
The more comes up about everything the more I think most of the elected council knows and is part of everything going on. Just my view.
Johnny,
I suspect the total payout even for the discrimination suit filed by the five members of the BPD would be more than $4 million. Your $100 million figure is scary, but who knows with all the lawsuits and investigations being talked about, you could be right on the money.
Tim R.,
You are right. When cops start point to corruption in their own department you got to take those allegations very seriously.
Danny,
Thanks for coming back to visit. Also, I think sooner or later the city council members will have to decided if they’re going to be part of the solution or part of the problem.
It really doesn’t take a law degree to see here that Burbank is in deep trouble. No way could this all happen overnight, it’s from years of mismanagement.
Isn’t it funny that when police point to official government corruption the same governemnt that said trust them begins to say they are lazy and no good ?
It all sounds to me like the top officials have been behind all of this.
Eileen,
Your instincts are right on. The problem is nothing will change except the amount of money lost on defending this thing.
The City Council needs to demand transparency in order to make decisions before its too late. Over the years, I have seen action only when the citizens of Burbank get involved and start speaking out, going to the City Coouncil meetings and writing letters.
Sometimes the truth takes great effort to bring it out. If that effort is given, then it will always prevail.
Eileen C. & Carma,
This is what happens when officials do not step up and deal with a problem. When they don’t show strong leadership in finding a solution. And yes, realize that transparency in decision making is necessary to retain the public trust.
So if the officials hide from the problem, deny the problem, or just do nothing you start to wonder if they’re part of the problem.
Fronnie Lewis:
I would agree with you about officials but officials in Burbank have never stepped up. They always run and hide. They deny there is a problem. They make fun of anybody who says there is a problem. Its what you call a pattern.
Most officials in Burbank don’t just fail to step up they just plain fail as leaders. We really need new elected officials. The whole financial crisis is the result of us electing people that really are not leaders at all. Somebody said 4 million and somebody else said 100 million so think about it this is another financial crisis waiting to happen and they put money aside like one more bailout. No leadership at all.
Carma is right they put effort into discouraging people and making people scared to speak up. That has to stop.
Thanks for the compliment about my instincts carma. I watch city council meetings and get mad watching how they treat people week after week.
Carma,
I appreciate your insights and comments very much … thank you for adding them into the public discussion.
Your comment regarding the Council demanding transparency is critical in all of this. A cancer of sorts, has crept into decision making in Burbank. I am convinced that all too often not only does council make decisions with incomplete and sometimes out right innaccurate information but some council members display an attitude that they really don’t want to be bothered with the facts. It has become for some of them a matter of get this over with and just do whatever is recommended by staff, no questions asked.
I sincerely doubt these same council members make decisions in their own life and/or business dealings in this way, but when it comes to the people’s business it has become all too common.
Council members who fail to realize that all the facts and full discussion are essential also fail to realize or care for that matter how their actions affect the lives of so many people. We need to put an end to always being able to undo and redo things and place more emphasis on doing things right in the first place.
It could be the best movie of the year. It could be the BEST SELLING NOVEL. A tale of espionage and intrigue not seen since the days of the KGB!
The Burbank Wall is coming down. Corruption has become cover up and cover up has become lies and lies have become intimidation of people to cover the truth.
The game is PROTECT YOUR POWER at all costs and man the torpedos. It’s a story of Council Power gone wrong and the poor people get to pay for it.
Who is the man at council meetings that uses a flashlight and asks President Obama to help stop the corruption in Burbank ?
Is everyone tuning in tonight to watch what they do next ?
My money is on them making a big deal about the DUI and crossing their fingers that nobody brings up the real problems in Burbank.
Ricardo,
I have seen speakers at city council meetings “get put down” when they point out what they see as problems in the city. This really bothers me as well.
The citizens are what the city should be about. If it’s bugging the citizens, city officials should be scrambling to fix it.
Carma,
You’re right on the mark again!
Snoopy,
Excellent comments.
ERG,
All of this is sounding like so much fiction you see on book store shelves. However, if these investigations and lawsuits result in settlements, the citizens will be paying with real hard earned dollars.
Well Fronnie Lewis
The people elect the representatives that are drunk with their own power and are responsible for what they do.
The real DUI issue here is a drunk with power council. The notorious 4 should be cited with making decisions while dunk with power.
We let them do it and we deserve to pay for it. It’s that simple in my book.
Watching Council Meetings is very frustrating. The vice mayor appears to pay no attention to what is going on and then asks questions that were already answered.
She really infuriates me week after week.
Reese Place so glad I am not the only one that cathes that about her. Does she ever say anything that makes any sense ? I share your frustration with her and the looks she gives people is very bad.
Thanks Snoopy for staying on the issues.
I hate to say it but I heard that the Burbank Fire Chief has been fired (on the down low) for stealing money from the city in the form of education payments. This is crazy!
on the down low we get taxed and the crooks steal the money. Truth up the government people all be bringing in the green off our backs.
Carma,
Knowing the fire chief personally and seeing him in action my gut feeling is that this is a frame up.
Facts will come out as they do however in my experience with the chief he was one who addressed problems and sincerely did care for and about people.
I am very suspicious that he has become a target because he does address problems, a lot like a few other people have been targeted.
I will reserve judgement and wait for facts, however that is my gut feeling on this one.
Tim R.,
I plan to attend tonight’s city council meeting. I do suggest other folks tune in and check out the proceedings.
ERG,
I think Burbank voters are going to scrutinize candidates a lot more closely after all of this.
Reese Place & Carol,
Since they know the council meetings are being televised, you’d think some council members would be more careful about what they say and their conduct.
Carma,
Yeah, I’ve heard the Burbank Fire Chief actually has been fired for allegedly defrauding the city. Indeed, according to a source, he took city money for education, but did not use it for that purpose. Crazy is right!!
dragon,
If that’s what they’ve been doing in Burbank —the citizens of this town are not going to let them get a way with it!
They arrested the Fire Chief now ?
How many Burbank people are being arrested ?
Flaco, they did not arrest him. In order to avoid a scandal he made a deal with City Manager Mike Flad to retire with an injury. I think the injury is high blood pressure.
My sources are not only some police officers, but the whole fire department knows what’s up.
Sorry Snoop, you really never know people. I was married once before and I thought I knew that person too.
Carma & flaco290,
These are allegations we’re hearing against the fire chief. If they are not true, if this is some kind of frame, he will more than likely fight to clear his name. We will have to watch and see what happens.
I have a problem with making deals with the city manager if there was a crime. If I commit a crime do I get to make a deal with the city manager ? That means there is no equal justice.
I heard from a fireman that there are lots of things in the fire departent that are wrong and covered up.
The police chief, the fire chief and the police commission. Is any one working for this city that is NOT a crook ?
I hope they don’t let everybody just retire, that means we pay them for the rest of their lives. If you are worried about lawsuits just think about all the retirement money we will pay to these crooks.
I want to say something about the dui issue and the police commission.
We have more commissions than just the Police Commission. How do we know how many on other commissions have a dui as well ?
Do they plan to run a check on everybody ? It doesn’t make much sense not to if they think it’s a big thing. I also want to know if any commissioners have been cited for smoking.
We should see background checks on council members and all the city employees as well. We have so many employees you mean none of them have a dui ?
In Burbank they make you mayor for having a DUI but you can’t be on the police commission guess the police commission runs the place. LMAO what a lame city government this is.
Carma,
As I understand it, the fire chief is out on two months medical leave for high blood pressure. If he retires this may become an non-issue.
flaco290,
I don’t know if it would be classified as a crime or just misconduct. We will have to wait and see how it all plays out.
Arman,
If that is true, officials in the fire department need to get busy setting things right. The city has enough to deal with in the police department.
Carol,
good point.
Tamasco,
Yes, what about the folks on those other Burbank city boards and commissions with DUIs? A lot of people are asking that question.
duck,
Since the mayor has a DUI, I think it smacks of a double standard to kick someone off a city commission because they have a DUI. IF they’re going to have no DUI policy it should not be applied to just one commission, but all city appointments and elected officials.
Tomaso,
It isn’t about DUI!!! It’s about distraction. Chief Tim Stehr and members of the Burbank Police are facing federal criminal violations. That means prison with a capital P.
He will do anything to avoid being voted out. If he retires or is put on leave, Stehr will have no ability to manipulate witnesses.
In the end, Orange County Chief Corona, was sentenced to the pokey for “witness tampering.” He was not removed in time either. This is all predictable behavior.
While I cannot repeat everyting I know, the public needs to ask the right questions. Why is the accused officers not placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an official investigation? This is procedure.
Answer: This is all about money. The City Manager would be admitting things are serious just by this action. It is fiscally motivated right now to stand behind Stehr. It won’t be once the evidence is presented down the road. The problem is that will cost the taxpayers millions and then its too late 🙁
From what you hust said Carma me thinks they prove they are lawbreakers and fail to follow the laws and procedures from actions like not suspending the police that are accused. Isn’t it true that you are more liable and not less liable in a lawsuit if you violate procedures and break laws in commiting the acts ?
It sounds like the city manager is part of all of this. He should be fired.
Witness tampering is a serious crime. How on earth did the criminals become in charge of everything ?
If the police commission doesn’t do something about this they should all be fired as well.
A question:
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE BURBANK POLICE COMMISSION ?
The Burbank Police Commission is a joke. Nobody ever even heard of them before all this and what have they done to correct anytyhing ? They should all be trown out on their butts.
My impression right now is they are a big part of the whole problem. I see them as covering things up so crime can continue and nothing more. A grand jusry should investigate them all.
It looks like the commission is there like curtains on a window, it keeps you form seeing how dirty the glass is.
Carma, you have some interesting tidbits. I’m a little baffled by the federal intervention in the PD– just exactly what brought it on?
This whole debacle is what we get for that wonderful “family” atmosphere they always pride themselves on. For years I have told people that the only way any political reform will occur in Burbank is through third-party actions and lawsuits– in other words, outside agencies and good attorneys.
It wasn’t that way at all in the early 50s. The chief blame for this current mess lies with the execrable Burbank Leader– although it has improved mightily the last few months. But ever since the Times Community News group bought it in the 90s it has been much more interested in the local pumpkin festival and parade decorating team than in any hard-hitting political stories.
For the last 8 years– until recently– it wouldn’t even run anti-establishment front-page stories, nor would it ever quote council critics at all, on any issue. They wouldn’t even display above-the-fold news stories of any kind. It was all happy talk in Burbank.
The great example of this was their complete blackout of the Burroughs homophobia story last year, which resulted in the protest resignation of at least one of their staff members. They would not even cover the drama kids play at the Colony until the very end, AFTER the Times had a front page story about it!
Anyway, tonight’s meeting will be interesting. I wonder how heavy handed the council majority is going to be?
I watched them on television tonight and WHEW did it all smell.
I heard them say it was not about a DUI and then it was about a Dui, It was about probation but it was sbout things the guy said to the newpaper. They were all over the map.
The vice mayor, is she that dense or is she that stupid ? I just can’t figure out which it is.
We have a mayor with a driving while under the influence and a vice mayor who was an illegal alien. What else do we have representing us ? Sounds to me like we just have the cream of the crop when it comes to representation. Blame the press, we should know about these things before we vote and not always after we vote.
As for the vice mayor saying you can’t commit a crime when you’re a kid, we have a juvenile justice system precisely because you can commit a crime when your a kid. What a mindless statement that was.
I thought the voters already said what they had to say about this Police Commissioner when she ran for City Council so what gives here we say no to her views and the Council subjects us to her on the Police Commission. I couldn’t believe it when I saw her at the Council Meeting right there on my television screen explaining how she is modern day challenged. I wonder does she know what a cell phone is or how her police ticket people for speaking on one ? Take a look at how she did when her ideas went before the voters.
http://www.smartvoter.org/2005/02/22/ca/la/race/1/index.html
While I could make many comments about last nights council meeting and council action I will keep it short and make only one observation.
If our City Attorney spent half as much effort helping the city to follow the law as he does helping the city make end runs around the law, we just may not be looking at so many lawsuits today.
There is an attitude of justification of anything no matter how far into absurdity we need to stretch the law and a file a lawsuit if you don’t like it response to the public. That may have worked the last few years but at this point people are taking the challenge and filing lawsuits.
I have a dumb question. Why is it ok to leave Police Officers under investigation on duty and in charge of the department but not ok to let someone with a DUI on the police commission ?
Is this a dumb question am I missing something ?
I just finished watching some of the highlights of the council meeting. I don’t know what to say. This whole thing is a joke!
Kitty Pants will have justice! Kitty Pants for Vice Mayor!!